Ornamental christmas tree



D. E- BLISS ORNAHENTAL CHRISTMAS TREE June 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Filed March 18. 1954 INVENTOR.

DOUGLAS E. BLISS BY ATTORNE June 18, 1957 o. E. Buss ORNAMENTAL CHRISTMAS TREE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Harch 18, 1954 INVENTOR. DGUGLAS E. BLISS United States Patent ORNANENTAL CHRISTMAS TREE Douglas E. Bliss, Flint, Mich.

Application March 18, 1954, Serial No. 417,168 6 Claims. 01. 41-15) My invention relates to an ornamental Christmas tree which is fabricated to resemble in appearance a natural Christmas tree.

The present invention is fabricated primarily from sheets of plastic and to this end I preferably use a bright colored plastic. The sheets are rolled very thin into the form of a parallelogram of greater length and width with the end edges extended angularly into the side edges. The sheet of plastic is provided with a plurality of perforations and after the separate sheets have been formed, they have a tendency to curl transversely of the sheet. In the invention, 1 also use a base with a supporting stand projecting upwardly therefrom which is projected through perforations in the sheet. The sheet of plastic is possessed of resiliency and it is an object of the present invention to provide a Christmas tree formed from sheets of plastic of this type so arranged on a supporting standard as to simulate the branches of an evergreen tree commonly used as a Christmas tree, such as pine, balsam, and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a Christmas tree of this type wherein the separate sheets of material will be folded before being placed on the supporting stand in such a manner that the sheets of plastic will be curved transversely and longitudinally.

Another object of the invention is to provide at Christmas tree of this type so arranged and constructed that the various sheets of plastic used to simulate the branches will, when placed upon the supporting post, through their own resiliency, prevent undue longitudinal movement of the sheets on the post.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a Christmas tree constructed in this manner which will be durable, light and highly ornamental in appearance.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a Christmas tree of this type formed from sheets of plastic, as referred to, with the separate sheets mounted on a supporting post in such a manner that the outer corners of the parallelograms will be extended outwardly and curved upwardly as well as transversely of the sheet.

Other objects will appear hereafter.

It is recognized that various modifications and changes may be made in the detail of structure illustrated without departing from the invention and it is intended that the present disclosure shall be considered to be but the preferred embodiment.

Forming a part of this application are drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the invention in its completed form;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view in the process of constructing the finished product;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a sheet from which the invention is formed;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the sheet from which the invention is formed illustrating the natural curve on a transverse axis;

2,795,879 Patented June 18, 1957 ice 2 Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the blank sheet showing the first fold;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view showing the second fold; Fig. 7 is a schematic view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a schematic view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

tic are colored to resemble the color of an evergreen tree.

Of course, if it is desired to simulate an evergreen tree covered with snow, the sheets of plastic would be properly coloredand if the tree to be simulated is a natural color of evergreen, these sheets of plastic would be covered green. Secured to these sheets of plastic are ornamentations 13 which may be of various colors and vari ous numbers and arrangement in accordance with the artistic taste of the user.

The sheets of plastic are preferably formed from very thin plastic. I have used sheets of thickness and have found this material quite-satisfactory.

In Fig. 3, I have indicated all of the sheets are plastic and it is to be noted that the same is formed as aparalellogram with the side edges 14 and 15 longer than the end edges 16 and 17 and with the end edges extending angularly to the side edges. The sheet is provided with perforations 18 throughout its area. As shown in Fig. 4, when the sheet is cut, it has a tendency to curl transversely, that is on a transverse axis, so that the end edges 16 and 17 move into approach relatively to each other. a

In the first stage of formation, the sheet is folded or rolled on a line 19 extending from the apex 20 to the apex 21- these points being considered the outside corners of thesheet when mounted on the rod 11 and the corners 22 and 23 being considered the inside corners. It will be noted, as shown in Fig. 5, that when curved along the line 19, the corners 23 and 22 project beyond the side edges 14 and 15. After being folded into the form shown in Fig. 1, the edges 14 and 15 are then held in contact with each other at their line of intersection and these edges while so held are brought downwardly toward the bottom of the trough which has been formed until two of the perforations just below the point of intersection of lines 14 and 15 are in registration. Thereupon, the rod is projected through two registering perforations immediately above the bottom of the trough. jected through the two perforations adjacent to the point of intersection of the lines 14 and 15, whereupon .the edges 14 and 15 will spring upwardly from the base of the trough, there being sutlicient clearance between the rod 11 and perforations 18 to allow this upward springing.

Thus the sheet will extend upwardly from opposite sides of the rod with the points 20 and 21 extending above the points 23 and 22. On opposite sides of the rod, the sheet is curved. Consequently, when mounted on a tree looking at it from one sidethe person would view. the

outer surface of this curve or curl and from the other side, the personwould be looking into the curve or curl.

Likewise, when looking downwardly on the tree, the person would be looking. inwardly into the curl or curve and when looking from the bottom, the'person would he looking at the outer surface of the curve. It will be noted that when the sheet is mounted on the rod, due to the drawing away of the folded sheets, there will be a certain depth or thickness of this material on the rod. This extending The rod is then pro-- layer of material placed on the rod would engage at its bottom the upper side of this depth. Each succeeding layer is rotated relatively to the adjacent layer so that a full foliage completely around the rod is obtained. After all of the sections have been mounted on the rod 11, an abutment cap 33 is permanently fastened on the end of the rod 11 and of a diameter slightly larger than the perforations 18 so that a permanently assembled structure is thus afforded.

Experience has shown that a simulated Christmas'tree constructed in this manner is very ornamental in its appearance and is one which may be easily and quickly assembled while at the same time a durable structure is afforded.

What I claim is:

1. A fabricated ornamental Christmas tree comprising a base; a supporting rod secured at one end to and projecting upwardly from said base; and a plurality of foliage simulating members each comprising a sheet of material perforated throughout its surface with holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said rod and doubled upon itself to provide a pair of pointed ends projecting outwardly from the main body thereof and with the doubled over portion being doubled upon itself and said rod being projected through overlying perforations in the end of said doubled over portions each succeeding member, longitudinally of said rod, being rela tively rotated about said rod.

2. A fabricated ornamental Christmas tree comprising a base; a supporting rod secured at one end to and projecting upwardly from said base; and a plurality of foliage simulating members each comprising a sheet of material perforated throughout its surface with holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said rod and doubled upon itself to provide a pair of pointed ends projecting outwardly from the main body thereof and with the doubled over portion being doubled upon itself and said rod being projected through overlying perforations in the end of said doubled over portions, each succeeding member, longitudinally of said rod, being relatively rotated about said rod said material being sufiiciently resilient so that said doubled over portions after projection of said rod through said openings may spring apart and secure said body on said rod against undue movement longitudinally of the rod.

3. A fabricated ornamental Christmas tree comprising a base; a supporting rod secured at one endto and projecting upwardly from said base; and a plurality of foliage simulating members each comprising av sheet of material perforated throughout its surface with holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said rod and doubled upon itself to provide a pair of pointed ends projecting outwardly from the main body thereof and with the doubled over portion being doubled upon itself and said rod being projected through overlying perforations in the end of said doubled over portions, each succeeding member longitudinally of said rod, being relatively rotated about said rod said material being sufiiciently resilient so thatsaid doubled over portions after projection of said rod through said openings may spring apart and secure said body on said rod against undue movement longitudinally of the-rod; said foliage simulating members when formed normally tending to curl on an axis transverse of the main body thereof.

4. A fabricated ornamental Christmas tree comprising a base; a supporting rod securedat one end to and, projecting upwardly from said base; and a plurality of foliage simulating members each comprising a sheet of material perforated throughout its surface with holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said rod and doubled upon itself to provide a pair of pointed ends projecting outwardly from the main body thereof and with the doubled over portion being doubled upon itself and said rod being projected through overlying perforations in the end of said doubled over portions, each succeeding member, longitudinally of said rod, being relatively rotated about said rod said material being sufficiently resilient so that said doubled over portions after projection of said rod through said openings may spring apart and secure said body on said rod against undue movement longitudinally of the rod, said foliage simulating members when formed normally tending to curl on an axis transverse of the main body thereof; said members being of shorter length proceeding from the bottom of said rod upwardly to provide a tapered cone-shaped contour.

5. A fabricated ornamental Christmas tree comprising a plurality of foliage simulating members threaded on a supporting rod and each consisting of a sheet of plastic formed in the shape of a parallelogram and perforated throughout its surface with holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said rod, with the end edges extended angularlyto the side edges, said sheet being sufficiently thin so that when formed the sheet will curl on a transverse axis so that the end edges will move into approach; a base, said rod being secured at one end to and projecting upwardly from the said base, said sheets being curled upon themselves on a longitudinal axis to provide a fold and said rod projecting through registering openings in the curled over-sides of said sheet to mount said sheet on said rod so that the opposite corners of the end edges project outwardly and said sheet at opposite sides of said rod is curled with the concave side faced upwardly each succeeding membenlongitudinally of said rod, being relatively rotated about said rod.

6. A fabricated ornamental Christmas tree comprising a plurality of foliage simulating members threaded on a supporting rod and each consisting of a sheet of plastic formed in the shape of a parallelogram and perforated throughout its surface with holes of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said rod, with the end edges extended angularly to the side edges, said sheet being sutiiciently thin so that when formed the sheet will curl on a transverse axis so that the end edges move into approach; a base; said rod being secured at one end to and projecting upwardly from said base, said sheets being curled upon themselves on a longitudinal axis to provide a fold and said rod projecting through registering openings in the curled over-sides of said sheet to mount said sheet on said rod so that the opposite corners of the end edges project outwardly and said sheet at opposite sides of said rod is curled with the concave side faced upwardly, each succeeding member, longitudinally of said rod, being relatively rotated about said rod said sheet being formed from plastic sufficiently resilient to cause the folded over portion to spriug apart after projection of said rod therethrough for retaining said sheets in fixed longitudinal position on said rod.

Ref erences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 167,216 Leech July 8, 1952 D. 167,401 Godber Aug. 5, 1952 267,277 Strasser Nov. 7, 1882 2,097,513 Casey Nov. 2, 1937 OTHER REFERENCES Science News Letter of December 10, 1949, page 384, publication by Science Service Inc., Washington, D. C. 

